March 7, 2020

Bethany, OK- Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Baseball team hit the diamond again on Saturday afternoon as the looked to finish their series with Southwestern Christian University (SCU). The Lions (17-8, 2-3) split the doubleheader with Eagles (15-8, 2-3) as SCU took the first game 3-2 but SAGU answered with a 6-4 win of their own. This series had historical relevance for the Lions as it marks the first time SAGU has beaten SCU in the regular season in a single game and in a series since 2014.

Game 1

Top Performers

• Hunter Watson ( SO/Whitney, TX ) and Tanner Lindle ( SR/Coppell, TX ) led the Lions with 2 hits each.
• Watson and Sonny Boyd ( SO/Mansfield, TX ) combined for the only two RBI for SAGU.
• Kyle Coolidge ( SR/Newberry Park, CA ) and Eric Crum ( FR/Kyle, TX ) scored 1 run each on the day.
• SAGU hit .233 as a team
• It was a sloppy game as the teams combined for 6 errors, and a total of 20 base runners stranded.
• Augustin Martinez ( SR/Sugarland, TX ) had a solid outing pitching 5.1 innings allowing just 4 hits and 2 earned runs. He struck out 7 batters while walking just two Eagles.

Lions Review

• Watson started off the game with a single, but then the Lions were retired in order to close the top of the inning.
• Martinez committed an error and walked a batter but escaped the bottom of the inning without any damage being done.
• Coolidge and Lindle each picked up hits to start the top of the 2 ^nd inning. The Lions were able to cash in with 2 runs thanks to an error and a single by Watson.
• Martinez gave up a triple but struck out the final two batters to preserve the Lions lead at 2-0.
• SAGU threatened with a runner in scoring position although they didn’t record a hit in the inning, SCU managed to get out of the jam without issue.
• The Eagles cut the deficit in half with a pair of doubles in the bottom of the 3 ^rd .
• SCU tied the game up 2-2 in the bottom of the 5 ^th inning.
• The Lions missed an opportunity in the 6 ^th as Justin De Los Santos ( FR/Corpus Christi, TX ) got on base with a walk. He eventually made his way to third, but SAGU couldn’t push the go ahead run across.
• SAGU had another chance in the 7 ^th with two runners in scoring position but again failed to get anyone home as the game remained 2-2.
• The Eagles capitalized in their half of the 7 ^th inning as they won on a walk-off double to take the win 3-2.

Game 2

Top Performers

• Ben Bills ( JR/York, PA ) totaled 3 RBI to lead the Lions.
• Six different Lions scored a run in the victory.
• Coolidge had the hot bat going 3-3 from the plate.
• SAGU hit .269 as a team for the game.
• The Lions won despite another sloppy game defensively as they committed 4 more errors.
• Dennis Smith ( JR/Jewett, TX ) and Kolby Clark ( FR/Waco, TX ) combined to pitch 7.0 innings giving up 5 hits, but no earned runs walking 5 batters and striking out 4 others.

Lions Review

• The teams played a quick first inning with no hits and no runs.
• SAGU got on the board with a 2-0 lead thanks in part by a Lindle double which scored Coolidge. Lindle would later score on a sac fly.
• A couple of singles and a passed ball by SAGU allowed SCU to score as the Lions remained ahead 2-1 after two innings.
• SCU took advantage of a SAGU error as they manufactured the tying run after a single.
• SAGU took the lead right back in the 5 ^th inning after Bills pushed a run through after a fielder’s choice and then Ryan Cole ( JR/Longview, TX ) scored off of a Coolidge single. Lions up 4-2.
• SCU would score a run in each of the next two innings to see the teams locked up 4-4 moving into the 7 ^th inning.
• The Lions climbed back on top after a two-run homerun the hopped off the bat of Bills giving the Lions the 6-4 advantage. SAGU would go on to win by the same score.

What’s Next

SAGU will travel back home as they will host a three-game series against Oklahoma City University. The first game will be held on Friday, March 13 ^th at 7:00 pm.

As a leading Christian university, SAGU educates and prepares individuals who want to serve Christ and others. SAGU helps students discover and develop their God-given callings in a Spirit-empowered, learning community.

We believe in affordable tuition, made possible in part through the financial support of donors who embrace the mission of SAGU and the importance of affordable, accredited programs to train Christians for leadership in ministry, business, education, and service.

Most majors are available in-person in Waxahachie, TX, and online through a wide range of associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.